Dynamic calibration of optical properties of a dimming element

Abstract

An imager assembly including calibration functionality and a housing. An imager is disposed inside the housing. The imager includes a lens assembly. An electro-optic element is disposed on a wall of the housing and operable between a substantially clear condition and a substantially darkened condition. A light source directs light at the electro-optic element which redirects the light toward the lens assembly.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An imager assembly comprising:
 a housing; 
 a primary imager disposed inside the housing, the primary imager including a lens assembly; 
 an electro-optic element disposed adjacent to the lens assembly within the housing and operable between a substantially clear condition and a substantially darkened condition; and 
 a calibration imager disposed within the housing and configured to collect image data from a calibration light source; 
 wherein a portion of the electro-optic element is disposed between the calibration imager and the calibration light source; 
 wherein image data from images captured by the primary imager is modified based on an algorithm that functions to modify the image data before the image is displayed to a user, the modifications based on image data collected by the calibration imager. 
 
     
     
       2. The imager assembly of  claim 1 , wherein calibration of the image data occurs based on image data collected by the calibration imager. 
     
     
       3. The image assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the calibration is done continuously. 
     
     
       4. The image assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the calibration is done periodically. 
     
     
       5. The imager assembly of  claim 1 , wherein, when the primary imager is being used in bright conditions, the electro-optic element is configured to dim. 
     
     
       6. The imager assembly of  claim 5 , wherein, as the electro-optic element dims, the calibration light source directs light through the electro-optic element at the calibration imager. 
     
     
       7. The imager assembly of  claim 1 , wherein, upon the calibration imager detecting a shift in color or intensity of the electro-optic element, the primary imager is configured to apply modifications to the image data collected by the primary imager before the image data is displayed to a user. 
     
     
       8. The imager assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the lens assembly is disposed between the primary imager and the electro-optic element. 
     
     
       9. The imager assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the electro-optic element is disposed between the primary imager and the lens assembly. 
     
     
       10. The imager assembly of  claim 9 , wherein image data is adjusted based on light first passing through the lens assembly, then through the electro-optic element before being captured by the primary imager. 
     
     
       11. A method of calibrating an imager assembly, comprising:
 providing an imager assembly comprising:
 a housing; 
 a primary imager disposed inside the housing, the primary imager including a lens assembly; 
 an electro-optic element disposed adjacent to the lens assembly within the housing and operable between a substantially clear condition and a substantially darkened condition; and 
 a calibration imager disposed within the housing and configured to collect image data from a calibration light source; 
 wherein a portion of the electro-optic element is disposed between the calibration imager and the calibration light source; 
 
 positioning the primary imager to capture images through the electro-optic element; 
 capturing images of image data that is provided by the calibration light source through the electro-optic element; and 
 comparing properties of the image data with a baseline image profile to determine color and intensity shift of the electro-optic element. 
 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11 , further comprising utilizing a separate calibration region on the electro-optic element to provide a reference for correction. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 12 , wherein the separate calibration region is disposed between the calibration imager and the calibration light source. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 11 , further comprising analyzing, by the calibration imager, the calibration region. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 11 , wherein an optical isolator extends across the housing and is interrupted by the electro-optic element. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 15 , wherein the optical isolator is configured to isolate the primary imager, the lens assembly, and a primary portion of the electro-optic element from optical overlap with the calibration imager and the calibration light source. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 15 , wherein the optical isolation prevents light from the calibration light source from reaching the primary imager and also prevents external light from reaching the calibration imager.